So what do you do when you can no longer fly fish?

That is precisely where I am at right now. Will there be a time in the future when I can fly fish again? Probably. However I may not want to. So now my gear is heading for eBay and the local kids through their schools. I need the money with medical bills piling up.

I have not only lost my ability to fly fish I have lost almost all interest in it. I need to concentrate on things less physically demanding things until I can get my surgeries done but it's not just that. The thrill of this sport is gone for me. I have changed as has the sport perhaps neither for the better. This used to be a simple, uncomplicated, relaxing sport for me at one time. Now I feel that fly fishing, like most of our sports, has been over commercialized.

Time to put the long rods, the tying gear, into the hands of the younger ones so I can concentrate on some more relaxing, healing activities. Breaking out the cameras and picking my Appalachain Mountain Dulcimer back up.

Before i go ask yourself What would you do when you can no longer fly fish? What will you do if you ever loose the passion for the sport?

Nighthawk,For me,it has nothing to do with fishing.It is my way of getting lost,an excuse to be there.A moment of escape.As a Vet,I need that from time to time.What ever you do,whether a camera or Ducimer,find it and feel it.Ray

I'd like to hear you play the hammered dulcimer some time. I have no other suggestions except to say that you shouldn't sink so low as to spend your time watching "reality" T.V.

It happens every year around this time. I can no longer fly fish. So... I ice-fish. :lol:

I also usually read a lot more books in the winter.
I know this isn't what you meant. It's an intriguing question. I don't have a good answer...

I didn't start fly fishing until I was past 55. So, I am the opposite as my interest in fly fishing is still new. I know one day I'll not be able to wade strong current or in to back country streams. I just hope sitting on the bank or in a canoe will get me close enough to wet a line. I recently had surgery and I am in physical therapy for a bad ankle and knee. My new brace arrived yesterday. I may move slower but, I still move. I hope you rekindle your passion. Perhaps sharing and teaching others is your way to enjoy the sport now...

This isn't to sound flip. I have so many hobbies and interests the thought of what to do if interest in one wanes has never crossed my mind. Church and doing a lot of music and teaching there consumes a lot of time. Gardening, sailing, hunting, shooting for fun, pleasure and competition, reloading and casting bullets, restoring bamboo fly rods, tying flys. I sitll enjoy downhill and XC skiing but at almost 60 those 10 mile ski trips are a thing of the past, dinking around with my vintage sports cars and reading and studying about all the above.

Nighthawk,

I am in the same spot as you. Loss of interest, medical problems, etc. Don't tie any more cause it hurts too much - gave all my tying gear and supplies to one of my last living fishing buddies who still ties. Gave him two nice double guns too. My son-in-laws don't hunt or fish. I have a grandson who is 6 and just about ready to start so that will occupy some of my time. Started with a serious car accident 10 years ago then all my fishing buddies either died or quit fishing. I am not even 70 and I am too young to be in this spot but I am, none-the-less.

But I can still read. And I can still write. And when it hurts when I wake up in the morning, I know I am still on the green side.

One of the reason God gave us memories is that, someday, those are what we will cherrish. You can still close your eyes and go fishing wherever you want. And you can still tell stories around a campfire or the fireplace to who ever will listen. All is not lost and we here would certainly like to hear your stories. So don't loose touch. We can still live vicarously through our friends who fish. And good luck with your medical and financial problems. They will work themselves out. May God bless and keep you. And when you want to talk, you know we are your friends.

Bob

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Originally Posted by sharps

This isn't to sound flip. I have so many hobbies and interests the thought of what to do if interest in one wanes has never crossed my mind. Church and doing a lot of music and teaching there consumes a lot of time. Gardening, sailing, hunting, shooting for fun, pleasure and competition, reloading and casting bullets, restoring bamboo fly rods, tying flys. I sitll enjoy downhill and XC skiing but at almost 60 those 10 mile ski trips are a thing of the past, dinking around with my vintage sports cars and reading and studying about all the above.

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The type and severity of the disease and illness I am in would eliminate literally everything you just mentioned except tying flies. Church and my faith are the two things I can do that I will hang on to. On the other side of that coin I do not know the suffering of Christ nor do I pretend to. However, Christ has used these sufferings of mine to teach me how to really, truly appreciate a good day.
If you can get up and look out the door, it's a start on a good day.
If you can dress yourself, feed yourself, it's a good day.
If you can walk 50 feet to your car without dragging your feet, stand erect, get into the car, without tears of pain, retching your guts out, it's looking like it might be a great day.
If you can drive to work, sit at the computer, type info in for the proper shipping of freight to the troops, put the freight labels on the freight, send it to the proper shipping area, drive home, help take care of your son who is still recovering from cancer treatment and now the loss of his thyroid by golly it turned out to be great day.
Of course you are going to take multiple doses of very strong pain medications throughout the day. You are barley able to eat a sandwich, drink some iced tea, take more med before you collapse on the couch.
forget about restful sleep because it ain't going to happen. Between the pain, the pain meds and the PTSD it just will not happen until the day I am dead.

I am not complaining because I am still alive. There are others that are in wore shape than I that need our prayers and thoughts. Just wanted to relate to everyone why I have lost interest in fly fishing amongst other things.

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Originally Posted by Bobinmich

Nighthawk,

I am in the same spot as you. Loss of interest, medical problems, etc. Don't tie any more cause it hurts too much - gave all my tying gear and supplies to one of my last living fishing buddies who still ties. Gave him two nice double guns too. My son-in-laws don't hunt or fish. I have a grandson who is 6 and just about ready to start so that will occupy some of my time. Started with a serious car accident 10 years ago then all my fishing buddies either died or quit fishing. I am not even 70 and I am too young to be in this spot but I am, none-the-less.

But I can still read. And I can still write. And when it hurts when I wake up in the morning, I know I am still on the green side.

One of the reason God gave us memories is that, someday, those are what we will cherrish. You can still close your eyes and go fishing wherever you want. And you can still tell stories around a campfire or the fireplace to who ever will listen. All is not lost and we here would certainly like to hear your stories. So don't loose touch. We can still live vicarously through our friends who fish. And good luck with your medical and financial problems. They will work themselves out. May God bless and keep you. And when you want to talk, you know we are your friends.

Bob

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Bob,
You and I have a lot in common. You said things so well there. I am praying for you too brother.

I too am a Vet. and second what Rayhill said. For me, it is a time for me to get away from the normal stressors of life, a chance to clear my head. I have trouble focusing on one thing because of my PTSD and this allows me too. To stalk the Bluelines in search of a hole that will produce is theraputic. I understand that you may not be able to continue with this and I feel for you but, you can focus on something you can do, do it well and allow it to seep inside you. Wishing my prayers your way for a Merry Christmas.

Eric,

I am still able to get out and wet lines, but I am older and the cold bothers me more each year. Losing the circulation in my feet cause some pain now no matter how many pairs of socks I wear. I prefer to fish for winter steelhead which is a young man's game. I know I have a few more years that I can fish for steelhead but even now the days are cut short. I no longer fish the river from sun up to sun down. It is only a matter of time before I will no longer be able to stand to the cold of a January morning fishing in the snow and wading waters with temps in the upper thirties. It will be then I pick up the camera full time. Even now I spend much of my fishing time documenting the sport of fly fishing for steelhead with images. I love fly fishing so much that I will continue to be involved in some form or another. I wish I could help in someway. If I were closer I would pick you up in the morning, tell you to grab your camera and lenses, we are going to shoot images of fly fishermen and the places they fish. It is the beauty of those places that trout live that give me a reason.

Peace,

Kerry

I have been an on-again / off-again fly fisherman since I was 14, over 45 years now. When it seems like something I don't want to do, I set it aside and have come back to it many times. As you might imagine, I am in one of those on-again stages at the moment.:) When I was younger, I did not fish for several years because I was fanatically interested in climbing mountains. As age caught up with me, my body told me that fishing was more enjoyable overall compared to 16 hour days going as hard as I could go. About 10 years ago, I herniated a disk in my neck. That put an end to the climbing and even the fishing for about a year. I have several hobbies, including fly tying, rod building and woodworking. There are times when each one seems like THE thing that I want to do, and other times when I am happy to set them aside for long stretches. I always seem to come back at some point.

So, put your rods aside for some time. Sell or give some away, but don't divest yourself of all of them. I think there is a very good chance you will feel the urge again. I always seem to.

Ted

I try not to think about that day

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Originally Posted by Fly Goddess

I try not to think about that day

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Likewise!!!

Nighthawk, I understand the time is coming when I probably won't be able to participate in but one or two of the pass times mentioned. That is one of the reasons I hoped it didn't come off as sounding "flip". I am truly blessed that I can still do about what I want....just not at the same level as before. And, I know it could all change or end on the way to town this afternoon or when I go to the woods later to haul in a load of firewood I cut last weekend. No man knows the hour or the day.

My heart is warmed by what you said about your faith and Jesus. I am glad you have that, too many do not. I don't know what I would do without it. God bless you brother.

ted, I understand exactly what you're talking about. Sometimes it seems I flit from one thing to another, but I love them all.

As we age sometimes our disability' catches up to us.Hopefully the memories stay with us.That is why I enjoy this site so much.I can continue to experience the travels thru the members.I am pretty sure I won't be fishing Patagonia but I can drift away occasionally here.

My father took up birding when he no longer was physically capable of flyfishing. It can be done anywhere, any time (well, mostly in daylight), at any level you desire, from just looking out the window to travel and listing and organized events. I figure it gave him a couple more years than he would have lasted without something interesting and changing for him to do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sharps

Nighthawk, I understand the time is coming when I probably won't be able to participate in but one or two of the pass times mentioned. That is one of the reasons I hoped it didn't come off as sounding "flip". I am truly blessed that I can still do about what I want....just not at the same level as before. And, I know it could all change or end on the way to town this afternoon or when I go to the woods later to haul in a load of firewood I cut last weekend. No man knows the hour or the day.

My heart is warmed by what you said about your faith and Jesus. I am glad you have that, too many do not. I don't know what I would do without it. God bless you brother.

ted, I understand exactly what you're talking about. Sometimes it seems I flit from one thing to another, but I love them all.

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Oh no it didn't sound flip at all. It did remind me that you and I don't know each other therefore there is no way you along with all the others here can know what my day is like unless I lay it out start to finish. It is my sincere hope that out of my pain will come the realization for all here on the board sooner or later we all face the day when we will no longer be able to do most of the things we love doing. Please don't let it blindside you like it did me. You are all very intelligent folks and intelligent minds need to be kept busy through physical activities. Plan for the future by finding some more sedentary hobbies that engage the mind. Please don't anybody procrastinate no matter how much you don't want to think about it. Of an here is an example of the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UurHbXwVo04

Love the instrument!

Blessing to all.

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Originally Posted by rayhill190

As we age sometimes our disability' catches up to us.Hopefully the memories stay with us.That is why I enjoy this site so much.I can continue to experience the travels thru the members.I am pretty sure I won't be fishing Patagonia but I can drift away occasionally here.

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For sure brother. For sure.

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Originally Posted by DG

My father took up birding when he no longer was physically capable of flyfishing. It can be done anywhere, any time (well, mostly in daylight), at any level you desire, from just looking out the window to travel and listing and organized events. I figure it gave him a couple more years than he would have lasted without something interesting and changing for him to do.

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Yep goes hand in hand with the photography. It is so hard for me to walk now so the long periods of sitting still suit birding quite well. I could sit on my front proch this summer and watch the bald eagles flying through the Susquehanna River valley doing their form of fishing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kerry Stratton

Eric,

I am still able to get out and wet lines, but I am older and the cold bothers me more each year. Losing the circulation in my feet cause some pain now no matter how many pairs of socks I wear. I prefer to fish for winter steelhead which is a young man's game. I know I have a few more years that I can fish for steelhead but even now the days are cut short. I no longer fish the river from sun up to sun down. It is only a matter of time before I will no longer be able to stand to the cold of a January morning fishing in the snow and wading waters with temps in the upper thirties. It will be then I pick up the camera full time. Even now I spend much of my fishing time documenting the sport of fly fishing for steelhead with images. I love fly fishing so much that I will continue to be involved in some form or another. I wish I could help in someway. If I were closer I would pick you up in the morning, tell you to grab your camera and lenses, we are going to shoot images of fly fishermen and the places they fish. It is the beauty of those places that trout live that give me a reason.

Peace,

Kerry

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Kerry how I would love to do the photography things with you! It has become such a passion of mine that, just like fly fishing used to be, I thoroughly enjoy meeting other photographers. I did not buy my hunting license this year, first time in decades, because I cannot walk or stand while feeling that I am safe to be around with the firearm. I will continue to buy my fishing license and purchase a hinting license next year because that funding goes into a lot of good programs. Since I can no longer drag a deer out of the woods I think my firearm of choice will be my DSLR with a nice, fast lens on it.

I would like to see some of your woodwork Ted.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tedshuck

I have been an on-again / off-again fly fisherman since I was 14, over 45 years now. When it seems like something I don't want to do, I set it aside and have come back to it many times. As you might imagine, I am in one of those on-again stages at the moment.:) When I was younger, I did not fish for several years because I was fanatically interested in climbing mountains. As age caught up with me, my body told me that fishing was more enjoyable overall compared to 16 hour days going as hard as I could go. About 10 years ago, I herniated a disk in my neck. That put an end to the climbing and even the fishing for about a year. I have several hobbies, including fly tying, rod building and woodworking. There are times when each one seems like THE thing that I want to do, and other times when I am happy to set them aside for long stretches. I always seem to come back at some point.

So, put your rods aside for some time. Sell or give some away, but don't divest yourself of all of them. I think there is a very good chance you will feel the urge again. I always seem to.

Ted

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Originally Posted by NewTyer 1

I would like to see some of your woodwork Ted.

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PM sent, since this is a fly fishing forum...
Ted

When I took up fly fishing around age 40, I was fond of saying that as my ability to run decreased, I'd just spend more time fly fishing. Now I no longer run at all (I do miss it, though...) and I realize that the day came far sooner than I imagined it would. I can't imagine what I'll do when I can no longer fish. Probably read a lot. Maybe try painting and drawing again. I know I'll have to do something...

I'm 73 and will spend my 74th fishing in the Black Hills of South Dakota :lol: My last check up (last week)went well. Things are where they should be, even lost about 15 lbs. due to diet and exersize (need to drop about 5 more lbs). Last night I tied up a bunch of Zebra Midges to try on the Elk River this weekend.
You will find me up in Louisville at the Kentuckiana Fly Fishing Expo working the "Hog Creek Furled Leader" booth on Jan 26th, then over to the BUFF show in Cinci. on the 2nd of Feb.
Please give up all this negative "Doom and Gloom" posting and let us good guys carry on!
Yes I have to use a bit more care when wading but we all should!!

My fly fishing days will come to an end at a gathering of friends in May. I'll keep very basic gear so I can accompany my son when he visits, but no more going out by myself.

I didn't fly fish to catch fish as much as I did to get the serenity that comes from being in a beautiful place focusing for hours on my drift. The trout caught were a bonus. I can't get that serenity anymore as my numb feet leave me constantly worrying about falling and my numb fingers make knot tying frustrating. So it is time to give up the sport.

I had some anger about this at first, but have come to see it in a different light. Fly fishing and tying used to give me relief at a time when I had stress in my life. Now that I am deeply semi-retired, and all my kids and grandkids are doing well, I have very little stress. So I've come to be grateful that I had fly fishing when I really needed it and didn't lose it until the need was slight.

I don't think I'll return to golf. I'll be looking for things that keep my mind active and give me pleasure, while allowing me to sleep as late as I want. I have a lot of alternatives that fit those criteria.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jack Hise

I'm 73 and will spend my 74th fishing in the Black Hills of South Dakota :lol: My last check up (last week)went well. Things are where they should be, even lost about 15 lbs. due to diet and exersize (need to drop about 5 more lbs). Last night I tied up a bunch of Zebra Midges to try on the Elk River this weekend.
You will find me up in Louisville at the Kentuckiana Fly Fishing Expo working the "Hog Creek Furled Leader" booth on Jan 26th, then over to the BUFF show in Cinci. on the 2nd of Feb.
Please give up all this negative "Doom and Gloom" posting and let us good guys carry on!
Yes I have to use a bit more care when wading but we all should!!

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Well good for you, Jack. Hey you know I didn't really choose to be born with the diseases, hereditary diseases, I have that are now taking full hold on me. I am so happy that you are such a great model of a human being that you can control what fully diseases are active in you and what ones aren't.

Then again you aren't dealing with the issues I am while I still manually man handle 180-1,000lb pallets of freight 10 hours a day for the military like I do. try picking and packing all that freight for 10 hours a day, standing on a concrete floor, after I take out 8 discs in your back, strip all the calcium out of your system, destroy the interlocking facets on your vertebrae and so forth.

You know you just did me a big favor. You just helped me make up my mind on another item I was pondering. Since you don't want me to complain on this site, see Ya, I am gone. You are one of the ones that will get blindsided by it and if you survive it you will be on here crying the blues about loosing the sport you loved just like I am now. Oh, Jack, I almost forgot if being a good guy means being like you I would rather be bad to the bone any time. Means I won't be a drunk, arrogant old crab either.

Later.

Admin please deactivate this account.

Nighthawk, I haven't been on this forum very long and don't know you, but it appears to me that you got a lot of support from a lot of friends here. It would be a shame to let one person with whom you disagree take that away. Good luck to you, and best wishes...

He quits once a year. The mods don't need to delete his account. He can simply delete the website from his favorite list...

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Originally Posted by Bakerloo

He quits once a year. The mods don't need to delete his account. He can simply delete the website from his favorite list...

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Gee, thanks for all of your concern. You could simply delete this website from your favorites also,,,,,,,,,,,, please.

Over the years I've really come to respect Nighthawk on this site. His posts are often right on the money and his concern for others is something I fail to live up to. Sometimes his situation seems to really beat him down hard and I'd like to think that this site would be the kind that understands. Most folks do. Some don't and that's a shame.

I certainly hope that he does come back. I pray that his health improves and he can learn to love fly fishing all over again.

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Originally Posted by PA Dave

Over the years I've really come to respect Nighthawk on this site. His posts are often right on the money and his concern for others is something I fail to live up to. Sometimes his situation seems to really beat him down hard and I'd like to think that this site would be the kind that understands. Most folks do. Some don't and that's a shame.

I certainly hope that he does come back. I pray that his health improves and he can learn to love fly fishing all over again.

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I couldn't agree more.

I'm frankly a bit worried about him. Loss of interest in doing things you like to do is often a symptom of depression -- not that avoiding doing things that are physically painful is a bad idea.

I hope he puts some time into that Appalachian Dulcimer. I know that making music has gotten me through some tough times.

It all goes to my kids, and my kids at Woodland High School. By now, I ain't goin anywhere until retirement in 20 or so years.

I am in much the same place. The lung issues have grounded me pretty effectively. I can go shore or bank fishing if I can get someone to come along and baby sit but I don't last long. Building rods and tying Bergman style flies is my outlet for now.

Doom and Gloom? You bet! This ticks me off! I quit smoking years ago. I wasn't supposed to get lung cancer let alone the cancer paired with emphysema. I might have to live with this, but I do NOT have to like it anymore than Nighthawk has to like his situation.

http://www.richard-binns.co.uk/graph...g-heron-lg.jpg

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Originally Posted by oldfrat

http://www.richard-binns.co.uk/graph...g-heron-lg.jpg

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Right on with the graphic.
Bruce

I try not to think about it. After a bout with cancer at 40yrs old, I made up my mind that I would enjoy every one of my passions for as long as they will let me. And when one becomes a thing of the past, the next will fill in the void. When I can no longer fish, I will tie more. When I can no longer tie, I will write more. When I can no longer do any of those, I will tutor my kids and grandkids in the sport.....and all the money I used to spend will go to stock their tying benches. :)

I might feel more sympathy for Mr. Nighthawk if he didn't label someone, on a public forum, a drunk and an arrogant ole crab.
No need for that type of slur. Disagree, ok, but with respect, not verbal abuse.

hey, he didn't exactly call anyone anything, just that he wouldn't be a drunk, arrogant crab.

Although I'm in a different profession than Nighthawk, I work in the same agency and at the same installation as him. I know what the workers do where he works, and it is difficult, unpleasant, and thankless- all to keep the uniformed services of this nation able to complete their missions. Doing it with severe physical problems is almost unimaginable. Most folks would have quit a long time ago. I don't personally know him, but I know where he's coming from.

Wow....just saw the remarks and read back through.

"good guys"? Did I read that right Jack? Wow.

I think Nighthawks response was alot nicer than what I would have come up with.

Folks need to count their blessings for the health they have. Oftimes it has absolutely nothing to do with keeping yourself in shape, or the lack thereof.

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Originally Posted by bobbyg

I might feel more sympathy for Mr. Nighthawk if he didn't label someone, on a public forum, a drunk and an arrogant ole crab.
No need for that type of slur. Disagree, ok, but with respect, not verbal abuse.

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Verbal abuse takes many forms. There was a post or two on this thread I considered to be far more insensitive and abusive than Nighthawk's. Just sayin.

Removed by LF